Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-The United Kingdom has announced an additional £7.5 million in funding to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), bringing its total financial support to both ATMIS and its predecessor, AMISOM, since 2021 to £77 million.

The new funding will bolster ATMIS’s efforts to enhance security in Somalia, focusing on key areas such as population centers, supply routes, and critical infrastructure, while supporting the Somali National Army (SNA) in joint operations against al-Shabaab.

ATMIS plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of Somali civilians and facilitating humanitarian aid. The mission also safeguards Somalia’s political processes, including elections, as the country moves toward greater stability.

The latest UK funding will specifically cover military stipends for troops from five countries—Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda—that contribute to the mission. It will also help ATMIS complete its mandate of a phased handover of security responsibilities to Somali forces.

British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, highlighted the UK’s longstanding partnership with Somalia and stressed the importance of continued international support for ATMIS’s successor mission. “By supporting ATMIS, we are investing in Somalia’s security today and its stability and prosperity tomorrow,” he said.

Somalia’s Defence Minister, Abdikadir Mohamed Nur, expressed gratitude for the UK’s ongoing commitment, noting that the funding is essential to advancing ATMIS and Somali security efforts. He emphasized that sustained international support will be vital in creating a secure and stable future for Somalia.

African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, also praised the UK’s contribution, calling on other international partners to follow suit and invest in Somalia’s security.

This latest financial boost reaffirms the UK’s commitment to Somalia’s security and stability, which is seen as critical not only for Somalia’s future but also for the wider region’s peace and prosperity.